Transfer alert: Liverpool target Stefan de Vrij to leave Lazio for free in June, reveals club boss

Liverpool target Stefan de Vrij is set to leave Lazio for nothing in June, according to the Italian club's sporting director.

The Dutch centre-back has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield, where he would link-up with international team-mate Virgil van Dijk in the Reds’ back-four.

De Vrij’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, and Lazio have been working hard to tie the 26-year-old down to new terms.

However, reports from Italy have maintained over the past few months that an agreement has never been close.

And now Lazio’s sporting director Igli Tare has revealed the club’s offer of a contract renewal has been withdrawn.

Speaking ahead of Monday night's Serie A match with Verona, he told broadcaster Mediaset Premium: "Lazio have withdrawn the proposal we made for a new contract to De Vrij.

"We are withdrawing for reasons that we will explain later on. It was a choice made after many months of negotiations, but there is also a limit to how things went.

"He has been an exemplary professional and we thank him for that as well as what he'll do until the end of the season. He gave a lot to the club, just as we gave a great deal to him, but our paths will divide in June.

"It's a matter of fairness. This is not the opportune time to give the reasons for this decision, but we had to give a response and we gave it this evening.

"It is better to look forward, as Lazio are a side who have grown in recent years and will continue to grow, because we certainly do not lack players."

It means the player will leave the club in a free transfer when the summer transfer window opens, with Liverpool thought to be leading the race.

However, Premier League rivals Manchester United are also said to be interested and may look to snatch him away from the Reds, while he has offers to remain in Italy with Serie A giants Juventus and Inter Milan.

However, despite the strong interest, Tare insists De Vrij has not yet chosen his next club.

"It's not an issue of him agreeing terms with other clubs, but of being fair in negotiations," he continued.

"We did things the right way, but things changed at the last moment. We no longer wish to continue along this path. The only thing certain is that in the world there are no lack of players."